As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following
meanings:
"Approved Safety Pool Cover"
means a manually or power operated safety pool cover that
meets all of the performance standards of the American Society for
Testing and Materials (ASTM), in compliance with Standard F 1346-91.
"Enclosure"
means a fence, wall or other barrier that isolates a swimming
pool from access to the home. When approved by the building official,
barriers may also incorporate natural or manmade features, such as
topography, waterways, restricted areas and similar features including,
but not limited to, geographically isolated areas and guarded-gated
communities which provide an effective access barrier to the pool
area.
"Exit Alarms"
means devices that make audible, continuous alarm sounds
when any door or window that permits access from the residence to
the pool area, that is without any intervening enclosure, is opened
or is left ajar. Exit alarms may be battery operated or may be connected
to the electrical wiring of the building.
"Grade"
means the underlying surface, such as earth or a walking
surface.
"Hot Tub"
means spa, nonself-contained or spa, self-contained.
"Portable Swimming Pool"
means a non-permanent above-ground and on-ground structure
intended for swimming or for recreational bathing, in which water-circulating
equipment is non-permanent and an electrical cord plugs into an approved
exterior electrical receptacle. A portable swimming pool is designed
to be disassembled and easily removed without need of demolition.
"Public Swimming Pool"
means a swimming pool operated for the use of the general
public with or without charge, or for the use of the members and guests
of a private club. Public swimming pool does not include a swimming
pool located on the grounds of a private single-family home.
"Separation Fence"
means a barrier that separates all doors of a dwelling unit
with direct access to a swimming pool from the swimming pool.
"Spa, Nonself-Contained"
means a hydro massage pool or tub for recreational or therapeutic
use, not located in health-care facilities, designed for immersion
of users and usually having a filter, heater and motor-driven blower.
It may be installed indoors or outdoors, on the ground or on a supporting
structure, or in the ground or in a supporting structure. A nonself-contained
spa is intended for recreational bathing and contains water over 18
inches (457 mm) deep.
"Spa, Self-Contained"
means a continuous-duty appliance in which all control, water-heating
and water-circulating equipment is an integral part of the product,
located entirely under the spa skirt and which electric equipment
is cord connected (not permanently electrically wired) to an approved
exterior electrical receptacle. A self-contained spa is intended for
recreational bathing and contains water over 18 inches (457 mm) deep.
"Swimming Pool"
means any structure intended for swimming or recreational
bathing that contains water over 18 inches (457 mm) deep. This includes
in-ground, aboveground and on-ground swimming pools, and fixed-in-place
wading pools.
"Swimming Pool, Indoor"
means a swimming pool that is totally contained within a
residential structure and surrounded on all four sides by walls of
said structure.
(79-19; 02-05)
Whenever a swimming pool or spa permit is issued for private
single-family residence or Group R, Division 3 Occupancy where a wall
of the residence serves as part of the enclosure and contains door
openings between the residence and the pool that provide direct access
to the pool, it shall be equipped with at least one of the following
safety features:
A. The residence shall be isolated from access to the pool by an enclosure that meets the requirements of Section
15.36.030.
B. The
residence shall be equipped with exit alarms on those doors providing
direct access to the pool. The alarm shall sound continuously for
a minimum of 30 seconds within seven seconds after the door and its
screen, if present, are opened, and be capable of providing a sound
pressure level of not less than 85 dBA when measured indoors at 10
feet (3048 mm). The alarm shall automatically reset under all conditions.
The alarm system shall be equipped with a manual means, such as a
touch pad or switch, to temporarily deactivate the alarm for a single
opening. Such deactivation switch shall last no longer than 15 seconds.
The deactivation switch shall be located at least 54 inches (1372
mm) above the threshold of the door.
C. All
doors providing direct access from the residence to the swimming pool
shall be equipped with self-closing, self-latching device with a release
mechanism no lower than 54 inches (1372 mm) above the floor.
D. Other
means of protection may be acceptable so long as the degree of protection
afforded is not less than that afforded by any devices described above.
(02-05)
Whenever a swimming pool or spa permit is issued for private
single-family residence or Group R, Division 3 Occupancy, an enclosure
shall meet the following requirements:
A. A fence
or wall surrounding property at pool area, which is at least 60 inches
(1524 mm) above grade, measured on the side of the enclosure that
faces away from the swimming pool. Where there are two or more adjacent
properties that all have a pool, then the enclosure height may be
reduced to 48 inches (1219 mm).
B. A maximum
vertical clearance between the grade and the bottom of the enclosure
of two inches (51 mm). A maximum vertical clearance at the bottom
of the enclosure may be increased to four inches (102 mm) when grade
is a solid surface such as concrete deck or when the enclosure is
mounted on the top of the aboveground pool structure.
C. Openings
in the enclosure shall not allow the passage of a 1¾-inch diameter
(44.5 mm) sphere.
Exceptions:
1. When
vertical spacing between such openings is 45 inches (1143 mm) or more,
the opening size may be increased such that passage of a four-inch-diameter
(102 mm) sphere is not allowed.
2. For
fencing composed of vertical and horizontal members, the spacing between
vertical members may be increased up to four inches (102 mm) when
the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is 45 inches
(1143 mm) or more.
D. Chain
link fences used as the enclosure shall not be less than 11 gauge.
E. Access
gates shall comply with the requirements of sections A through D.
Pedestrian access gates shall be self-closing and have a self-latching
device. Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is
located less than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the bottom of the gate,
(1) the release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the
enclosure at least three inches (76 mm) below the top of the gate;
and (2) the gate and enclosure shall not have no opening greater than
one-half inch (12.7 mm) within 18 inches (457 mm) of the release mechanism.
Pedestrian gates shall swing away from the pool. Any gates other than
pedestrian access gates shall be equipped with lockable hardware or
padlocks and shall remain locked at all times not in use.
F. Any
decorative design work on the side away from the swimming pool, such
as protrusions, indentations or cutouts, which render the enclosure
easily climbable, is prohibited. All gates or doors opening through
an enclosure shall be kept securely closed at all times when not in
actual use.
G. Doors
within garages and carports opening through an enclosure shall be
equipped with a self-closing, self-latching device with a release
mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches (1372 mm) above the floor
and open away from the swimming pool.
H. Driveway
gates are prohibited through an enclosure except for driveway gates
that are equipped with an approved automatic opening and closing device
that is approved by the Building Official. The property owner shall
submit a written request for an exception to the Building Official
and also provide the City with a hold-harmless agreement to be filed
with the City Clerk.
I. Where an aboveground pool structure is used as a barrier or where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, and the means of access is a ladder or steps, then (1) the ladder or steps shall be capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access; or (2) the ladder or steps shall be surrounded by a barrier that meets the requirements of Sections
15.36.025 through
15.36.030. When the ladder or steps are secured, locked or removed, any opening created shall be protected by a barrier complying with Sections
15.36.025 through
15.36.030.
J. For indoor swimming pool, protection shall comply with the requirements of Sections
15.36.025 through
15.36.030.
K. A self-contained spa or hot tub equipped with a listed safety cover shall be exempt from the requirements of Sections
15.36.025 and
15.36.030.
(02-05)
In the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone as designated in Section
15.04.040 when deemed necessary by the chief of the fire department all new swimming pools constructed or installed having a capacity of 5,000 gallons or more shall have a minimum four-inch diameter drain and discharge line connected to a draft hydrant, the type, location and installation of which shall be approved by the chief of the fire department. Materials used for the discharge line shall be as approved in the City Plumbing Code, for potable water systems, except copper shall not be used.
Exception:
Swimming pools constructed or installed with the bottom of the
pool more than 15 feet below the proposed draft hydrant connection
elevation, measured vertically, need not be provided with a draft
hydrant system.
To identify the pool draft system, a street marker shall be
installed on the roadway or an appropriate sign (as designed by the
fire department) indicating the location of the swimming pool shall
be posted on the pool safety fence and/or at the draft hydrant location.
(02-05)
The building official or his or her agent, upon notification
from the permit holder or his or her agent, shall make the following
inspections to ascertain that the following requirements have been
met, and that other applicable laws have been obeyed:
A. Excavation Inspection. The site shall be inspected to determine
that the excavation and grading is as set forth in the plan on file
with the City, and in the case of pools that are to be gunited, that
reinforcing steel and circulation water lines are in place and bonded
with at minimum number 8 AWG copper wire. All circulation water lines
must be in place and similarly bonded. Copper piping must be provided
with ten feet downstream of heaters. Any PVC (schedule 40 only) must
be at least 18 inches below grade on a bed of select material. DWV
copper is not permitted for pressure piping. Any pool light must use
conduit to a junction box.
B. Pre-Back Filling Inspection. After gunite has cured for at
least seven days, or a pool of fiber glass or other material has been
installed, plumbing and wiring shall be inspected for compliance with
this Code, including the following plumbing standards:
1. When
permitted by the Los Angles County Sanitation District and the City
of Claremont Engineering Division each pool shall have a drain line
connected to a three-inch minimum P-trap to a sewer or separation
tank.
2. Gas
lines shall be in place and subjected to a pressure test of 15 pounds
per square inch for metal pipes and 60 pounds per square inch for
Polyethylene (PE) pipe.
3. Any
PE gas lines shall be buried at least 18 inches or more below grade,
and shall use transition steel (plastic coating) piping to grade.
4. All
PE gas pipe shall have a number 18 AWG copper tracer wire installed
with the pipe and terminate above grade at each end. Ferrous gas piping
protected from corrosion by approved coating shall be acceptable if
at least 12 inches below grade, and if all joints and damaged coating
are primed and wrapped with approved materials.
C. Electrical Inspection. Electrical wiring shall be inspected
for compliance with the code in the following special requirements:
1. A
ground-fault circuit interrupter shall be required for all pool lights,
and there shall be an unbroken ground conductor not smaller than number
12 AWG copper wire from the main service panel to any pool light junction
box.
2. Pools
and spas other than gunite pools, which are properly grounded through
their reinforcing steel, shall be grounded with an eight-foot copper-weld
ground rod or 10 feet of buried copper water pipe.
3. Number
8 AWG copper bonding conductor shall be required for all pool equipment
other than a pool light.
4. Rigid
conduit is acceptable at least twelve inches below grade.
5. A
30-inch clear space shall be provided in front of all time clocks
and sub panels.
D. Concrete Deck Inspection. If the permit includes authorization
to install a concrete deck, the project will be inspected before the
concrete deck is poured to confirm compliance with the following special
standards:
1. Forms
in place must be eight inches wide with 12-inch-deep footing into
natural or compacted grade.
2. Concrete
decking, if any, adjacent to a pool must be at least four feet wide
around the entire circumference of a pool.
3. A
spa adjacent to any concrete deck shall have a deck at least three
feet wide around its entire circumference, but footings may be omitted.
4. Concrete
shall be at least four inches thick, and metal clamps approved for
direct burial shall be installed for all slides, diving supports,
grab rails and other metal surfaces within five feet of the pool's
water edge.
E. Pre-plaster (Gunite) Inspection. Before a gunited pool is
plastered or any other type of pool is filled, the property shall
be inspected to determine that fencing as required by code has been
installed, that the yard area is properly graded with drainage established
to the street or an approved drainage course, and that all the debris
has been disposed of. Electrical equipment shall be inspected for
proper connection and drainage, and all metal surfaces within five
feet of pool's water edge shall be checked for proper bonding with
a two-cell flashlight continuity tester. Before authorization of utility
connections, the City shall determine that any damage to public property
in connection with the construction has been repaired or compensated.
F. Final Inspection. A final inspection shall be made to review
all requirements, and where a concrete deck has been installed, to
determine that the joint between deck and pool has been caulked with
an approved sealer.
(79-19; 02-05)
Every person in possession of land within the City, either as
owner, purchaser under contract, lessee, tenant or licensee, upon
which is a situated reservoir, pit, excavation or similar open area
(except a temporary excavation during the process of a construction)
shall at all times maintain on the lot or premises, an enclosure of
such open area. The enclosure shall have a minimum height of no less
than six feet. The material and design of the enclosure shall be subject
to the approval of the Director of Community Development. The enclosure
shall have no openings (other than doors or gates) larger than six
inches square. All gates or doors opening through such enclosure shall
be kept securely closed at all times when not in actual use, and shall
be equipped with either a self-closing and self-latching device designed
to keep and capable of keeping such door or gate securely closed at
all times when not in actual use.
(12-01)
No person, whether as principal, agent, employee or otherwise,
shall violate, cause the violation of, or otherwise fail to comply
with any of the requirements of this chapter. Unless a different penalty
is prescribed for violating a specific provision of this chapter,
every act prohibited or declared unlawful, and every failure to perform
an act made mandatory, shall be a misdemeanor or an infraction, at
the discretion of the City Attorney or the district attorney. In addition
to the penalties provided in this chapter, any condition caused or
permitted to exist in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter
is hereby declared a public nuisance, and may be abated by any procedures
authorized by law. The expense of such abatement proceedings may,
by resolution of the City Council, be declared to be a lien against
the property on which such nuisance is maintained, and such lien shall
be made the personal obligation of the property owner, unless the
City chooses another design method of recovering abatement.
(02-05)
Each person shall be deemed guilty of a separate crime for each
and every day during any portion of which any violation of any provision
of this chapter is committed, continued or permitted by such person,
firm or corporation and shall be punishable accordingly.
(02-05)